February Cub Scout Roundtable Issue

Volume 14, Issue 7
March 2008 Theme

THEME RELATED STUFF

START TO RECYCLESam Houston Area Council

Sort materials, rinse containers, and store in a safe, dry place. It's easy. With a little practice, it takes less than five minutes a day. Sort your materials and rinse any leftover contents from containers so your items won't begin to smell bad or attract ants and bees. Here is how the City of Houston wants you to sort materials and get them ready to recycle.

Wire Thin And Flexible - telephone company, ask for their short lengths or telephone wire

Things to discuss when it comes to saving resources...Capital Area Council

Recycling - When an object can be shredded, melted or otherwise processed and then turned into new raw material -- for instance, aluminum cans can be melted down to make more cans, glass can make more glass, cardboard and paper make more cardboard and paper, plastic bags and containers can be turned into other plastic products. This takes some energy (very little for aluminum), but it is a good choice.

Reusing - When you find a use for an existing item - like decorating a bag and using it as a gift bag instead of buying wrapping paper; putting leftovers into a clean container from some other food; turning a used box into storage; decorating a can to hold pencils; saving packing peanuts and boxes and using them the next time you need to ship something or give a gift.

It is important to 'reuse' items wisely -- reusing packing peanuts to pack an item is by far the best way to use them. Recycling them, if it is available, would be the next best thing. Giving things in good condition that you no longer need to charity is another good way to reuse things like outgrown clothing or toys. Reusing is often the best way to save resources. This is something to consider year-round, not just around the winter holidays.

Shop Wisely - Can the container be easily recycled or reused? Will a larger container reduce the amount of packaging and perhaps cost less per serving? Is everything that can be recycled being recycled? Save resources (and money) by asking yourself if the item is something you really need, and if it is well suited for the task, and if it will last. Not only can this save you money, it can save you space and work, too. Five toys that are loved and played with are more fun than 10 toys that are broken or are boring to play with. And it's quicker to pick up 5 toys and put them away than to pick up 10.

After discussing ways to recycle do the following activities:

Divide den into two teams. Open up a mystery trash bag at each table and identify which things can be recycled. Lift up the bag again and feel how much lighter it is when people take things out of the trash, which can be recycled

Give the boys a pencil and paper. Tell them they are going to examine a specific tree.
Use the following procedure:
Ask them to use their senses to make observations about the tree. (Provide them time to do this silently, then discuss in the den)

Have them touch and smell the tree.
Ask them to close their eyes and listen for sounds associated with the tree.
Next, have them look for signs of who or what uses the tree, and then discuss their observations.
Ask: "What could hurt the tree? How? Why?"
Pose the following "What if" questions for them to consider:
What if this tree (or all the trees in our community) were gone? What would be good/bad/interesting about that?
What if the birds that use this tree went away? What will be good/bad/interesting about that?
What if lots of trees were planted on the school grounds? What would be good/bad/interesting about that?
Ask: "Whose job is it to care for the tree? Why?" This activity was adapted from a lesson written by: Phyllis Youngberg, a teacher at Burnt Mills Elementary School.

When the weather is pleasant, ask the boys to go outside to sit and observe the area around them. They are to use their senses to observe other things in nature (sky, ground, plants, birds, etc.) Have them take a pencil and/ or crayons and paper and:
Draw a picture of themselves outside.
Draw their observations.
Draw or write about their feelings about nature. (Provide ample time for this.)
When the boys return inside, provide time, if needed, to complete their work. Then have them share their work. Use the opportunity to discuss the importance of taking care of all things that are provided by the Earth.

Ideas from A Recycling Revolution website

Scouter Jim found this terrific website full of great ideas for recycling -

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